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'Dear White People' Star Gets 'Rocky' Spin-Off 'Creed' Female Lead

Back in the summer of 2013, we heard that MGM was developing a Rocky spin-off called Creed that would focus on the grandson of Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers from the original film franchise) as he follows his natural instinct and talent to get into the boxing ring with champ Rocky Balboa as his mentor. Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler and his star Michael B. Jordan were brought aboard the film, and Sylvester Stallone was even going to reprise his role as Rocky. Well, believe it or not, that project is still happening, and Deadline reports they've just landed Dear White People star Tessa Thompson in a role.

Thompson will take the female lead in the film, which will likely be akin to the Adrian role played by Talia Shire. The actress showed great potential in her breakthrough performances in the aforementioned provocative, racial satire, a role which actually won her the Gotham Award for Breakthrough Actor. She can also be seen in the buzzed about awards contender Selma as civil rights leader Diane Nash. We're still kind of shocked this film is happening, and I have to say that my feelings are mixed. It feels like a weak cash-in on the Rocky legacy, but the talent involved is top notch. We'll see how this turns out.

Reader Feedback - 6 Comments

1

Whaaaat the hell
K

OfficialJab on Dec 17, 2014

2

I just typed a scathing comment about how Carl Weathers should be in this movie, how he should be this kid's mentor . . . then I remember they killed off Apollo Creed in the third movie. Doh!
(Plus, Stallone needs the money after that Expendables 3 flop.)

CoosCoos on Dec 17, 2014

3

So have Apollo Creed's long lost alcoholic twin brother show up and bam Carl Weathers is in....